Blink Fitness, Make Your Lockers Safe for Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Members

Transgender and gender non-conforming people have been target of continuous attacks on their rights to use gender segregated bathrooms and lockers. These limitations not only affect students and the youth but extends to adulthood and beyond the school environment.

Many transgender and gender non-conforming people consider spaces such as gyms to be vital for their development and health. Yet, the simple task of walking into the "women's" or "men's" lockers can be panicking, especially when those spaces don't provide safety and protection. The simple task of undressing becomes stressful and forces us to either hide in a corner or in the stall in order to avoid being harassed or physically assaulted.

Blink Fitness claims to be for everyone, this is why we are asking them to put that mission into practice.

How Can Blink Fitness Be for Everyone?

1. Create All-Gender Inclusive Signs. Many companies already understand that gender must be inclusive and are taking real actions to support transgender and gender non-conforming employees. By putting these signs up, people will be aware that the space they share welcomes different gender expressions and identities and that harassment will not be tolerated.

2. Create a Gender Neutral Locker. Not everyone identifies as male or female and they shouldn't be forced to use a space that puts them in those confinements. Many trans and gender non-conforming people who may identify with male or female would simply prefer a gender neutral space to avoid harassment.

3. Train Your Crew on Gender Inclusivity. The Blink Crew needs to be trained on gender inclusivity and be a crew that is there to support us. My experience talking to Blink employees, experiencing that blank stare, and being in communication with management shows me that Blink has no gender inclusivity policy and training. Blink Fitness' goal should be to turn their beautiful mission into action.

Blink Fitness, be for everyone! Blink will set the precedent for all other gyms to follow what a gender-inclusive space really looks like!